*daveys_baby*

JMele

So are you going for secondary ed or plain history? Right now I'm just plain his . . . concentrating on American studies (love the rev war era). I was thinking about getting a master in education, but was wondering what I should do until I complete that.

daveys_baby

I was just plain history and that would be why I am not working in the field sadly, but I'm glad that I got to study something I enjoyed ;-)  I also love American history, the Revolution (I even managed to get DH to love the musical "1776" haha) and really up through the Great Depression.  I did my senior project on the French and Indian war since it started so close to home. That's great that you plan to get an MA in education.  I stopped after my BA because I was all schooled out!  I would have loved to work at the Heinz History Center, but nothing ever panned out and I really didn't want to move out of the city just for my job.  I pretty much quit looking 2 years ago when I found my current job, so I've been out of the loop.  There's Rivers of Steel you could look into, I think some of their positions are paid.  I have to look at home for a flyer and I'll page you when I find it.  A few months ago we went to a talk at CMU with a bunch of local historians who did random topics about Pittsburgh and I think they mentioned they regularly met somewhere, at the very least I know it mentioned their organizations.

JMele

I'm the same way. I just wanted to study something that was interesting to me and that meant something . . . regardless that you really can't do anything outside of teaching haha. My ultimate goal would be to teach at a university. I think I'll wait a while before trying to tackle a Ph.D. John always makes fun of me. He says "you're such a nerd, how did I end up with you!" When he makes me mad all I have to do is spout off history facts and he'll shut up.

daveys_baby

I love the research aspects of it and I was hoping to work at some type of archive.  Since you like the Revolution, have you ever read "Founding Myths?"  I'm used to all the books (even the ones that are supposed to be enjoyable) being so dry and boring.  I love this book, it explains where all the misconceptions of the Rev came from like Molly Pitcher, Paul Revere's Ride, Henry's speach etc. and the relevance of the time that the myth took root.  I just love when people look at the bigger picture and still manage to keep it light enough that I don't need a professional historian to explain it to me lol.LOL that's funny about spouting off facts. I'll have to try yelling "1066!" the next time he annoys me.  Dave actually enjoys history so I guess I'm lucky.  I think he was introduced to it in the context of video games though ;-)

JMele

That sounds good, I'll have to read that. I have a good one for you . . . "Twilight of the American Culture," by Morris Berman. He compares the decline and fall of Rome to America today. How the class systems are similar, the education (lack and decline of today) and how all of these things will lead to our collaspe. It's an amazing book. It's shorter too, I read it like 3 times.

daveys_baby

That does sound like a good read, I'll have to pick that up b/c I like Rome too.  I never thought I'd be into the classic civilizations but I had a really great prof who made me love that (almost as much as the US).  Good luck with your job search after graduation, it gets frustrating no matter how good your grades there's still so little out there.  Maybe check into Clayton too, I remember them posting a position I was interested in.  Do you have many more semesters to go?

JMele

Just over 2 semesters to go. I'm planning on overloading so I can finish by first summer session. I kick myself everyday for not finishing on time. I was really close with my mom and she passes away from lung cancer my sophomore year and I dropped out after that. Working and finishing school at the same time freakin suck! haha Where did you study? I was at Waynesburg and now I'm finishing at Grand Canyon U online.

daveys_baby

Sorry to hear about your mom's passing.I went to Clarion and loved the profs in the department.  Do you like learning through the online university?  I wouldn't have the discipline to do that, I think I do better comprehending with lecture than reading.  Have you joined Phi Alpha Theta?  I'm not sure what all schools have branches, but they should have a big conference coming up next January (although I'm not sure where it will be) that might be a good way to network for jobs.  They hold regional conferences as well.